HIGHTOWN Neighbourhood Inspector, Neil Turner, has responded to the complaint about policing in the village.

He said: “Merseyside Police is committed to providing a quality service that provides a police presence when it is requested by the members of the public and a high-visibility presence on the streets of Hightown.

“I am disappointed that this lady is unhappy with the service she feels she has received on these two occasions and would like to discuss her concerns with her.

“Our records show officers attended her business premises within 13 minutes of being called on March 29. The target response time for level one calls like this is within 10 minutes.

“Neighbourhood police officers have also visited these premises on 22 separate occasions since the incident four weeks ago.

“Our records also show that at around 4.50pm on April 23 officers were called to reports of several youths having climbed over into the back garden of a property in Mark Road looking for a lost ball.

“As this was not a crime in progress the call was graded as a level three with the target of a response within 24 hours.

“While Merseyside Police takes all reported offences seriously it is essential that all calls are prioritised so that officers are able to respond to incidents of the greatest urgency. We hold well-advertised surgeries twice a month in Hightown where residents can discuss any issues.”

Anyone with information about a crime can call Merseyside Police on 0151 777 3634, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.